Hinge assembly for mobile computing device

ABSTRACT

A hinged mobile computing device includes a first housing part with a first display and a second housing part with a second display. The first and second housing parts are coupled by a hinge assembly that includes a spring-loaded opening mechanism configured to bias with a biasing torque the first housing part and second housing part to rotate away from each other when the first and second displays are in a closed face-to-face orientation. An electro-magnetic closure system is configured to retain the first and second displays in the closed face-to-face orientation against the biasing torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism, and release of the electro-magnetic closure system permits the first housing part to rotationally separate from the second housing part to a predetermined angular orientation due to the biasing force of the spring-loaded opening mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/191,630, filed Mar. 3, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/133,133, filed Dec. 23, 2020, now grantedas U.S. Pat. No. 11,567,543, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 63/085,071, filed Sep. 29, 2020, theentirety of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference forall purposes.

BACKGROUND

Hinged mobile computing devices with dual displays offer users theconvenience of added screen space compared to mobile computing deviceswith a single display. Such devices may be used in a variety of deviceposes, offering users new ways of interacting with their devices. Thinbezels are often desired on mobile computing devices to increase theusable display area of the device while maintaining the same overalldimensions of the device. A device with thin bezels and hinged displayswould offer even more screen space for users to enjoy, but heretoforechallenges have existed to their development.

SUMMARY

To address the issues discussed herein, a mobile computing device isprovided. According to one aspect, the mobile computing device may beconfigured as a hinged mobile computing device that includes a firsthousing part and a second housing part coupled by a hinge assembly. Thefirst housing part may include a first display, the second housing partmay include a second display, and the hinge assembly may be configuredto permit the first and second displays to rotate from a face-to-faceorientation to a back-to-back orientation. A spring-loaded openingmechanism may be arranged in the hinge assembly. The spring-loadedopening mechanism may be configured to bias with a biasing torque thefirst housing part and the second housing part to rotate away from eachother when the first and second displays are in the closed face-to-faceorientation. The mobile computing device may further include a magneticclosure system. The magnetic closure system may be configured to retainthe first and second displays in the closed face-to-face orientationagainst the biasing torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism.Actuation of a release actuator of the magnetic closure system when thefirst and second displays are in the closed face-to-face orientation maypermit the first housing part to rotationally separate from the secondhousing part to a predetermined angular orientation due to the biasingtorque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism.

According to another aspect, a method for manufacturing a mobilecomputing device is provided. The method may include including a firstdisplay in a first housing part and including a second display in asecond housing part. The method may further include molding a hingeassembly to include a spring-loaded opening mechanism and coupling thefirst and second housing parts via the hinge assembly. The hingeassembly may be configured to permit rotation of the first and seconddisplays from a closed face-to-face orientation to a back-to-backorientation, and to bias with a biasing torque the first housing partand second housing part to rotate away from each other when the firstand second displays are in the closed face-to-face orientation. Themethod may further include including an electro-magnetic closure systemin the mobile computing device. The electro-magnetic closure system maybe configured to retain the first and second displays in the closedface-to-face orientation. The method may further include including arelease actuator in the electro-magnetic closure system. Actuation ofthe release actuator when the first and second displays are in theclosed face-to-face orientation may permit the first housing part torotationally separate from the second housing part to a predeterminedangular orientation due to the biasing torque of the spring-loadedopening mechanism.

According to another aspect, a method of operation of a hinged mobiledevice is provided. The method may include receiving a user input at arelease actuator of an electro-magnetic closure system of the hingedmobile computing device when the electro-magnetic closure system is in aclosed configuration. In the closed configuration, a first display and asecond display may be retained in a closed face-to-face orientationagainst a biasing torque of a spring-loaded opening mechanism arrangedin a hinge assembly of the hinged mobile computing device. In responseto receiving the user input at the release actuator, the method mayinclude actuating the electro-magnetic closure system to transition fromthe closed configuration to a released configuration, which permits thefirst housing part to rotationally separate from the second housingpart. Due to a biasing torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism,the first and second housing parts may rotationally separate from oneanother to a predetermined angular orientation.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solveany or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view mobile computing device incorporating ahinge assembly according one example configuration of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 1-20 are scale drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1with the displays removed.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show front top and front bottom perspective views,respectively, of a hinge assembly, cable, and flexible printed circuitryof the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 4A and 4B show rear top and rear bottom perspective views,respectively, of a hinge assembly, cable, and flexible printed circuitryof the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 shows an exploded front perspective view of a hinge assembly,cable, and flexible printed circuitry of the mobile computing device ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 shows an exploded rear perspective view of a hinge assembly,cable, and flexible printed circuitry of the mobile computing device ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 shows a flexible printed circuitry of the mobile computing deviceof FIG. 1 in a flat state.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, of aflexible printed circuitry and a harness of the mobile computing deviceof FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 9A and 9B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, ofhinge bodies, cogs, and a harness cover of a hinge assembly of themobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a flexible printed circuitry and ahinge assembly of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged assembled view of a hinge assembly of themobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 12A and 12B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, of aspring-loaded opening mechanism of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of an electro-mechanical magnetic closuresystem of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an electro-mechanical magneticclosure system of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 shows a front view of an electro-mechanical magnetic closuresystem of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 in a closed orientation.

FIG. 16 shows a front view of an electro-mechanical magnetic closuresystem of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1 after actuation.

FIGS. 17 to 20 show the hinge assembly of the mobile computing device ofFIG. 1 in different angular orientations.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a mobilecomputing device according one example configuration of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 22 shows an example computing system according to oneimplementation of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 , to address the above identifiedissues, a mobile computing device 10 is provided. The mobile computingdevice 10 may, for example, take the form of a smart phone device. Inanother example, the mobile computing device 10 may take other suitableforms, such as a tablet computing device, a wrist mounted computingdevice, or the like. The mobile computing device 10 may include ahousing 12, which, for example, may take the form of a casingsurrounding internal electronics and providing structure for displays,sensors, speakers, buttons, etc. The housing 12 may have a first housingpart 14 and a second part housing 16 coupled by a hinge assembly 18. Thefirst housing part 14 may include a first display 20, and the secondhousing part 16 may include a second display 22. The hinge assembly 18may be configured to permit the first and second displays 20, 22 torotate between angular orientations from a closed face-to-face angularorientation to a back-to-back angular orientation.

In one implementation, the face-to-face angular orientation is definedto have an angular displacement as measured from the first display 20 tothe second display 22 of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, an openangular orientation is defined to be between 90 degrees and 270 degrees,and the back-to-back orientation is defined to be between 270 degreesand 360 degrees. Alternatively, an implementation in which the openorientation is not used to trigger behavior may be provided, and in thisimplementation, the face-to-face angular orientation may be defined tobe between 0 degrees and 180 degrees, and the back-to-back angularorientation may be defined to be between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. Ineither of these implementations, when tighter ranges are desired, theface-to-face angular orientation may be defined to be between 0 degreesand 60degrees, or more narrowly to be between 0 degrees and 30 degrees,and the back-to-back angular orientation may be defined to be between300 degrees and 360 degrees, or more narrowly to be between 330 degreesand 360 degrees. The 0 degree position may be referred to as fullyclosed in the fully face-to-face angular orientation and the 360 degreeposition may be referred to as fully open in the back-to-back angularorientation. In implementations that do not use a double hinge, andwhich are not able to rotate a full 360 degrees, fully open and/or fullyclosed may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 360 degrees.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the mobile computing device of FIG. 1with the displays 20, 22 removed. The mobile computing device 10 mayinclude flexible printed circuitry 30 arranged in the first and secondhousing parts 14, 16. As illustrated and described in detail below, theflexible printed circuitry 30 is routed from the first housing part 14to the second housing part 16 via the hinge assembly 18. The utilizationof the flexible printed circuitry 30 in place of conventionally usedcoaxial cable allows the hinge assembly 18 to have a smaller profile inthe mobile computing device 10, which in turn reduces the size of thebezel and provides more available screen space on the first and seconddisplays 20, 22.

As shown in FIG. 2 and described in detail below, the mobile computingdevice 10 may include a magnetic closure system configured to retain thefirst and second housing parts 14, 16 in the closed face-to-faceorientation against a biasing torque of a spring-loaded openingmechanism. The magnetic closure system may have a first magnet 26arranged in the first housing part 14 and a second magnet 28 arranged inthe second housing part 16. When aligned, the first and second magnets26, 28 may be configured to secure the first and second housing parts14, 16 of the mobile computing device 10 in a closed orientation via amagnetic force. It will be appreciated that the first and second magnets26, 28 may be configured as single magnets or as a gangs of magnets.When configured as gangs of magnets, the first and second magnets 26, 28may be arranged as a Halbach array.

A release actuator 68 may be actuated to open the mobile computingdevice 10 from the closed orientation. The release actuator 68 mayincorporate such features as biometric sensor and/or a power switch. Inthe embodiments described herein, the magnetic closure system isconfigured as an electro-magnetic closure system 24. However, it will beappreciated that the magnetic closure system may alternatively beconfigured as any suitable magnetic closure system, such as a mechanicalmagnetic closure system, for example.

The mobile computing device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes twohinge assemblies; however, a single hinge assembly 18 will be describedherein for the sake of clarity. When a mobile computing device isequipped with two hinge assemblies arranged at top and bottom interfacesbetween the first and second housing parts 14, 16, it will beappreciated that the hinge assemblies are substantially the same, butrotated at 180 degrees with respect to one another.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate front top and front bottom perspective views,respectively, of the hinge assembly 18, and FIGS. 4A and 4B illustraterear top and rear bottom perspective views, respectively, of the hingeassembly 18. In an assembled state, the hinge assembly 18 may beconfigured to route the flexible printed circuitry 30 and a flexiblecable 32 from the first housing part 14 to the second housing part 16.The cable 32 is configured to connect an antenna (not shown) from one ofthe first and second housing parts 14, 16 to a main board arranged inthe other of the first and second housing parts 14, 16. It will beappreciated that the cable may be any type of cable suitable forconnecting to an antenna. In the embodiment described herein, the cable32 is configured as a radio frequency (RF) coaxial cable 32. Asdescribed in detail below with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 , theflexible printed circuitry 30 may comprise a first wing 30A and a secondwing 30B joined via a folding portion 30C that is arranged in the hingeassembly 18. The hinge assembly 18 may include a first hinge body 34configured to be arranged in the first housing part 14 and a secondhinge body 36 configured to be arranged in the second housing part 16.The hinge bodies 34, 36 may be formed of a metallic material andintegrally molded via an injection molding process, such as metalinjection molding (MIM). Additionally or alternatively, the hinge bodiesmay be formed using another suitable process, such as machining, forexample.

Exploded front and rear perspective views of the hinge assembly 18,flexible printed circuitry 30, and the RF coaxial cable 32 are shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively. As illustrated, the first hinge body 34may be molded to include a first friction band 34A comprising a firstgear 34B formed around a first void 34C. Likewise, the second hinge body36 may be molded to include a second friction band 36A comprising asecond gear 36B formed around a second void 36C.

In addition to the first and second hinge bodies 34, 36, the hingeassembly 18 may further include a harness 38 having a first shaft 38Aand a second shaft 38B, a harness cover 40, and first and second cogs42A, 42B configured to reside within the harness cover 40. In anassembled state, the first and second shafts 38A, 38B may be received bythe respective first and second friction bands 34A, 36A, and the firstand second cogs 42A, 42B may mesh with the respective first and secondgears 34B, 36B. Engagement of the shafts 38A, 38B with the frictionbands 34A, 36A may permit rotation of the first and second hinge bodies34, 36 around respective first and second shafts 38A, 38B, and thuspermit rotation of the first and second housing parts 14, 16 between theangular orientations described above.

The friction bands 34A, 36A provide a frictional force against therespective first and second shafts 38A, 38B that prevents the first andsecond housing parts 14, 16 from rotating in the absence of an openingor closing force exerted by a user. However, the user may easilyovercome the frictional force to move the first and second housing parts14, 16 to a desired angular orientation. It will be appreciated that thefirst and second friction bands 34A, 36A are configured to be externallyfacing. This design allows the diameter of the friction bands 34A, 36Aand shafts 38A, 38B to be larger, thereby increasing the torque andstrength of the engagement of the shafts 38A, 38B with respectivefriction bands 34A, 36A. This configuration further facilitates avariability in the friction torque variable that enhances the behaviorof a spring-loaded opening mechanism 48 included in the hinge assembly,as described below. Additionally, engagement of the gears 34B, 36B withthe cogs 42A, 42B may control the rotation of the first and second hingebodies 34, 36 and coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first andsecond housing parts 14, 16 between the face-to-face and back-to-backorientations.

The harness 38 may be formed to further include a first recess 38Cconfigured to accommodate the flexible printed circuitry 30 and a secondrecess 38D configured to hold the RF coaxial cable 32. The hingeassembly 18 may further include a plate 44 configured to attach to theharness 38 and secure the flexible printed circuitry 30 in the harness38. The plate 44 may be spot-welded to the harness 38. Alternatively,the plate 44 may be bonded to the harness 38 via another method, such asadhesive or glue.

In an assembled state, with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, theflexible printed circuitry 30 and the RF coaxial cable 32 may extendfrom the first housing part 14 to the second housing part 16 via thehinge assembly 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and secondrecesses 38C, 38D are arranged on opposite sides of the harness 38.However, it will be appreciated that the first and second recesses 38C,38D may alternately be arranged on a same side of the harness 38. Asdescribed in detail below, support rods 70A, 70B may be bonded to theflexible printed circuitry 30.

The harness 38 may further include a third shaft 38E and a fourth shaft38F arranged opposite the first and second shafts 38A, 38B. The thirdand fourth shafts 38E, 38F may stabilize the flexible printed circuitry30 when it is seated in the first recess 38C of the harness 38.

To prevent breakage of the first and/or second displays 20, 22 in theevent that the mobile computing device 10 is bumped or dropped, thehinge assembly 18 may include hinge guide stoppers to prevent the hingeassembly 18 from contacting the first and/or second displays 20, 22. Tothis end, a first hinge guide stopper 46A may be positioned between thefirst hinge body 34 and the third shaft 38E of the harness, and a secondhinge guide stopper 46B may be arranged between the second hinge body 36and the fourth shaft 38F of the harness. When the mobile computingdevice 10 is dropped or bumped, the hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B areconfigured to absorb the impact and provide a spatial cushion betweenhinge assembly 18 and the first and/or second displays 20, 22. The firstand second hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B may be placed after theflexible printed circuitry 30 is installed in the hinge assembly 18, andthe hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B may be secured to respective hingebodies 34, 36 via welding. However, it will be appreciated that thefirst and second hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B may be secured torespective hinge bodies 34, 36 with another method, such as a bondingadhesive, for example.

The hinge assembly 18 may include a spring-loaded opening mechanism 48configured to bias with a biasing torque the first housing part 14 andsecond housing part 16 to rotate away from each other when the first andsecond displays 20, 22 are in the closed face-to-face orientation. Asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, thespring-loaded opening mechanism 48 may include a first spring 50A and afirst spring seat 52A arranged on a first pin 54A and positioned in thefirst hinge body 34, and a second spring 50B and a second spring seat52B arranged on a second pin 54B and positioned in the second hinge body36.

The spring-loaded opening mechanism 48 may further include a firstfollower 56 and a second follower 58. Voids 34D, 36D shaped toaccommodate the first and second followers 56, 58 may be respectivelyformed in the first and second hinge bodies 34, 36. The first and secondfollowers may be formed such that one end of the follower is orthogonalwith respect to the other end of the follower. With this configuration,a first end 56A of the first follower 56 may be disposed in a recess 54Eformed in a head 54C of the first pin 54A, and a second end 56B of thefirst follower 56 may be engaged with a first cam 38A1 of the firstshaft 38A of the harness 38. Likewise, a first end 58A of the secondfollower 58 may be disposed in recess 54F formed in a head 54D of thesecond pin 54B, and a second end 58B of the second follower 58 may beengaged with a second cam 38B1 of the first shaft 38B of the harness 38.As described below with reference to FIG. 17 , the second ends 56B, 58Bof the followers 56, 58 may be formed to have a concave face, and thecams 38A1, 38B1 may be formed to have a substantially arcuate surface.When the hinge assembly 18 is in an assembled state, the positioning ofthe followers 56, 58 in the respective voids 34D, 36D may secureengagement of each follower 56, 58 with the respective cam 38A1, 38B1.Hinge covers C1, C2 may be attached to the first and second hinge bodies34, 36, respectively, to protect the components of the hinge assembly18.

FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B illustrate how the flexible printed circuitry 30 isconfigured to fold such that the folding portion 30C can be accommodatedin the harness 38 of the hinge assembly 18. FIG. 7 shows a rear view ofthe flexible printed circuitry 30 in an unfolded, flat state. Prior tofolding, the flat flexible printed circuitry 30 is substantiallyU-shaped, with the first wing 30A and the second wing 30B joined via thefolding portion 30C. The folding portion 30C includes one or more pleatsand/or slits 30D that may be horizontally folded to be pleated, forexample, with reference to the position of the flexible printedcircuitry 30 illustrated in FIG. 7 . Once pleated, the folding portion30C may be vertically folded along two axes, indicated by dashed linesin FIG. 7 , to form a seating portion 30E. The U-shape of the flexibleprinted circuitry 30 facilitates the positioning of the first and secondwings 30A, 30B in the respective housing parts 14, 16 when the foldingportion 30C is pleated and folded to create the seating portion 30E thatis subsequently seated in the first recess 38C of the harness 38, asshown in FIG. 8A. Further, the seating portion 30E of the flexibleprinted circuitry 30 that traverses the hinge assembly 18 via theharness 38 can be made to be substantially flat, thereby permitting thehinge assembly 18 to have a reduced profile such that the size of thebezel can be minimized, and the available screen space maximized.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show exploded and assembled, respectively, of theflexible printed circuitry 30 in a folded state, and engaged with theplate 44 and the harness 38. As described above, in the folded state,the folding portion 30C is pleated via the slits 30D and bent to formthe seating portion 30E that is seated in the first recess 38C of theharness 38. Support rods 70A, 70B are bonded to the flexible printedcircuitry at locations adjacent the wings 30A, 30B. As described above,the plate 44 may be configured to attach to the harness 38 and securethe flexible printed circuitry 30 therebetween. FIG. 8B shows theflexible printed circuitry 30 in the folded state and engaged with theharness 38 and the plate 44. In an assembled state of the mobilecomputing device 10, the folding portion 30C of the flexible printedcircuitry 30 resides within the first recess 38C of the harness 38, thefirst wing 30A is bonded to the first support rod 70A and arranged inthe first housing part 14, and the second wing 30B is bonded to thesecond support rod 70B and arranged in the second housing part 16.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, of thespatial relationship of the cogs 42A, 42B and the harness cover 40 withthe hinge bodies 34, 36 of the hinge assembly 18. As illustrated, theharness cover 40 may be configured to receive the first and second cogs42A, 42B and hold them in alignment to mesh with the first and secondgears 34B, 36B, respectively.

With reference to FIGS. 8B and 9B, FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of theflexible printed circuitry 30 and the hinge assembly 18 sans the harness38. As shown, the folded flexible printed circuitry 30 may be sandwichedbetween the plate 44 and the harness 38. To assemble the hinge assembly18, the first and second shafts 38A, 38B of the harness 38 may beinserted into the respective friction bands 34A, 36A that are integrallyformed in the hinge bodies 34, 36, as illustrated in FIG. 10 . Theharness 38 may be seated in the harness cover 40, which houses the firstand second gears 34B, 36B and the first and second cogs 42A, 42B. Assuch, each component of the hinge assembly 18 is designed to efficientlyand compactly engage with other components to reduce the size of thehinge assembly 18, which reduces the size of the bezel and provides moreavailable screen space on the first and second displays 20, 22 of themobile computing device 10.

An enlarged assembled view of the hinge assembly 18 is shown in FIG. 11. It will be appreciated that the second hinge body 36 is shown indotted line such that internal components of the hinge assembly 18 arevisible. As illustrated in FIG. 11 and described above, in an assembledstate, the first and second shafts 38A, 38B of the harness 38 may beconfigured to respectively engage the first and second hinge bodies 34,36 via respective voids 34C, 36C formed in the respective friction bands34A, 36A. The first and second cogs 42A, 42B may mesh with therespective first and second gears 34B, 36B. This configuration maypermit rotation of the first and second hinge bodies 34, 36 aroundrespective first and second shafts 38A, 38B, and engagement of the gears34B, 36B with the cogs 42A, 42B may control the rotation of the firstand second hinge bodies 34, 36 to coordinate the timing of the rotationof the first and second housing parts 14, 16 between the face-to-faceand back-to-back orientations. Further, as described below withreference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the first and second cams 38A1, 38B1 onthe shafts 38A, 38B of the harness may be configured as components ofthe spring-loaded opening mechanism 48.

12A and 12B show exploded and assembled views, respectively, of thespring-loaded opening mechanism 48. As described above with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6 , the first spring 50A and the first spring seat 52A maybe arranged on the first pin 54A, and the second spring 50B and thesecond spring seat 52B may be arranged on the second pin 54B. The firstend 56A of the first follower 56 may be disposed in a recess 54E formedin the head 54C of the first pin 54A. Likewise, the first end 58A of thesecond follower 58 may be disposed in a recess 54F formed in the head54D of the second pin 54B.

In an assembled state, as shown in FIG. 12B, the second end 56B of thefirst follower 56 may engage the first cam 38A1 of the first shaft 38Aof the harness 38, and the second end 58B of the second follower 58 mayengage the second cam 38B1 of the first shaft 38B of the harness 38. Inthe embodiment described herein, the first and second pins 54A, 54B arearranged orthogonally with respect to the first and second shafts 38A,38B and parallel to an outside edge of a respective display 20, 22. Inthis configuration, the first and second pins 54A, 54B are horizontalwhen the first and second displays 20, 22 are in a side-by-sideorientation, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, it will be appreciatedthat the first and second pins 54A, 54B may be arranged in analternative configuration, such as along the inside edge of a respectivedisplay to be vertical when the first and second displays 20, 22 are ina side-by-side orientation.

As mentioned above and described in detail below, the mobile computingdevice 10 may include an electro-magnetic closure system 24 that securesthe first and second housing parts 14, 16 of the mobile computing device10 in a closed orientation via a magnetic force. It will be appreciatedthat the magnetic force is strong enough to overcome the biasing torqueof the spring-loaded opening mechanism. When the first and secondhousing parts 14, 16 are magnetically secured in the closed orientation,the first and second springs 50A, 50B are held in a compressed state bythe engagement of the cams 38A1, 38B1 with the respective followers 56,58. Reduction of the magnetic force permits the first and second housingparts 14, 16 to rotationally separate due to the biasing torque of thespring-loaded opening mechanism 48. Specifically, the first and secondsprings are released from the compressed state, which releases thepotential energy stored in the springs 50A, 50B. The potential energyreleased from the springs 50A, 50B is transferred to the first andsecond followers 56, 58 via the engagement of the first ends 56A, 56B ofthe first and second followers 56, 58 with the head 54C of the first pin54A and the head 54D of the second pin 54B, respectively. This causesthe second ends 56B, 58B of the first and second followers 56, 58 torotate around the cams 38A1, 38B1, thereby rotating the first and secondhinge bodies 34, 36 to separate the first housing part 14 from thesecond housing part 16 to the predetermined angular orientation.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are side and perspective views, respectively, of theelectro-magnetic closure system 24 in a closed configuration, as itwould appear in the first housing part 14 when the first and secondhousing parts 14, 16 are in the closed orientation. However, it will beappreciated that the electro-magnetic closure system 24 mayalternatively be arranged in the second housing part 16, and the releaseactuator 68 may be positioned on the same or opposite housing part asthe magnetic closure system 24. As shown, the electro-magnetic closuresystem 24 includes an electric motor 60, which is formed to have athreaded portion 62 configured to engage with a nut 64. The nut 64 isattached to a magnet housing 66 that holds one of the first or secondmagnets 26, 28 via a housing arm 68. In the embodiment described herein,the first magnet 26 is held in the magnet housing 66, but it will beappreciated that the magnet housing 66 may be alternatively configuredto hold the second magnet 28.

As described above, the magnetic force created by alignment of the firstand second magnets 26, 28 in a closed configuration secures the firstand second housing parts 14, 16 in a closed face-to-face orientation.FIG. 15 shows a front view of a spatial relationship between the firstand second magnets 26, 28 as they would appear when the electro-magneticclosure system is in the closed configuration. As illustrated, the firstmagnet 26 is positioned proximate an electric motor 60. As discussedbelow, actuation of the electric motor 60 moves the first magnet 26 in avertical direction with respect to the first housing part 14 of themobile computing device 10. Displacement of the first magnet 26 resultsin a misalignment between the first and second magnets 26, 28, therebyreducing the magnetic force and releasing the spring-loaded openingmechanism 48.

FIG. 16 shows a front view of a spatial relationship between the firstand second magnets 26, 28 as they would appear in the first and secondhousing parts 14, 16 after transitioning from the closed configurationto a released configuration upon engagement of a release actuator 68(shown in FIG. 2 ). When the release actuator 68 is pressed, such as bya digit of a user, the electric motor 60 may be actuated to rotate thethreaded portion 62, which causes the nut 64 to travel along thethreaded portion 62 and move the first magnet 26 toward the electricmotor 60, as illustrated in FIG. 16 . The movement of the first magnet26 reduces the magnetic force between the first and second magnets 26,28 such that the magnetic closure system 24 transitions from the closedconfiguration to the released configuration, which may release thespring-loaded opening mechanism 48, thereby causing the first housingpart 14 to rotationally separate from the second housing part 16 at apredetermined angular orientation due to the biasing torque of thespring-loaded opening mechanism. While the release actuator 68 isillustrated as being on the second housing part 16 in the embodimentshown in FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that the release actuator 68may be arranged on either of the first or second housing parts 14, 16.

FIGS. 17 to 20 show the hinge assembly of the mobile computing device ofFIG. 1 in different angular orientations. It will be appreciated thatthe second hinge body 36 is omitted from FIGS. 17 to 20 to illustratethe elements of the spring-loaded opening mechanism 48. In FIG. 17 , thefirst and second housing parts 14, 16 are in the closed face-to-faceangular orientation. In this orientation, the second ends 56B, 58B ofthe first and second followers 56, 58 are engaged with the cams 38A1,38B1, which holds the springs 50A, 50B in the compressed state.

In FIG. 17 , the engagement of the followers 56, 58 with the cams 38A1,38B1 is illustrated with reference to the follower 58 and cam 38B1 ofsecond hinge body 36. It will be appreciated that the engagement of thefollower 56 and the cam 38A1 of the first hinge body 34 is configuredlikewise. As described above, the second ends 56B, 58B of the followers56, 58 may be formed to have a concave face, and the cams 38A1, 38B1 maybe formed to have a substantially arcuate surface. This configurationpermits the cams 38A1, 38B1 to nest within respective second ends 56B,58B of the followers 56, 58 when the cams 38A1, 38B1 and followers 56,58 are fully engaged. As illustrated in FIG. 17 , in the closed angularorientation, an arm 58B1 of the second follower 58 contacts a stopper38B2 of the second cam 38B1, thereby causing a gap G between the secondfollower 58 and the second cam 38B1. In this configuration, the spring50B is fully compressed and exerts a biasing force F on the secondfollower 58, causing the second follower 58 to experience a bendingmoment M, since only one side of the second follower 58 is contactingthe cam 38 at stopper 38B2. This moment force supplies the biasingtorque to open each display when the magnetic closure is deactivated.

As discussed above, reduction of the magnetic force by actuation of theelectric motor 60 permits the first and second housing parts 14, 16 toseparate due to the biasing torque of the spring-loaded openingmechanism 48, which releases the first and second springs 50A, 50B fromthe compressed state, thereby releasing the potential energy stored inthe springs 50A, 50B. This causes the second ends 56B, 58B of the firstand second followers 56, 58 to rotate around the cams 38A1, 38B1,thereby rotating the first and second hinge bodies 34, 36 to separatethe first housing part 14 from the second housing part 16 at thepredetermined angular orientation. Specifically, with reference to FIG.17 , when the magnetic force is relieved, the biasing force F of thespring 50B causes the second follower 58 to rotate outwardly until theconcave face of the second follower 58 fully seats on the arcuatesurface of the second cam 38B1, which occurs at the predeterminedangular orientation, as illustrated in FIG. 18 .

The opening of the first and second housing parts 14, 16 to thepredetermined angular orientation upon release of the spring-loadedmechanism permits the user to insert a digit between the first andsecond housing parts 14, 16 to open the mobile computing device 10.Additionally or alternatively, separating the first and second housingparts 14, 16 to the predetermined angular orientation may serve as a“peek” mode that allows the user to quickly view one or both of thefirst and second displays 20, 22 to check notifications, messages, orthe like without fully opening the mobile computing device 10.Accordingly, the predetermined angular orientation may be configured tobe any angle suitable for inserting a digit and/or viewing the first andsecond displays 20, 22, such as an angle in a range of 10 degrees to 45degrees.

For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 18 , the first andsecond housing parts 14, 16 are open at an angle of 15 degrees in thepredetermined angular orientation. When the first and second housingparts 14, 16 reach the predetermined angular orientation, the preloadedsprings 50A, 50B cease to impart rotational motion to the first andsecond followers 56, 58. With this configuration, the opening of thefirst and second housing parts 14, 16 is coordinated such that they opento the same degree in a timed manner.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the first and second housing parts open toside-by-side and back-to-back angular orientations, respectively. Whilean equal rotation of the first and second housing parts 14, 16 aroundthe hinge assembly 18 is illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 20 , it will beappreciated that the first or second housing part 14, 16 may beconfigured to rotate more, less, or not at all with respect to the otherof the first or second housing part 14, 16.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart of a method 2100 for manufacturing a mobilecomputing device according one example configuration of the presentdisclosure. Method 2100 is preferably implemented on a hinged mobilecomputing device, such as a smart phone device. However, it will beappreciated that the method 2100 may be implemented on any othercomputing device that is equipped with at least one hinge.

At step 2102, the method 2100 may comprise including a first display ina first housing part. Similarly, at step 2104, the method 2100 maycomprise including a second display in a second housing part.

Continuing from step 2104 to step 2106, the method 2100 may includemolding a hinge assembly to include a spring-loaded opening mechanism.When the first and second housing parts are coupled via the hingeassembly, the spring-loaded opening mechanism may be configured to biaswith a biasing torque the first housing part and second housing part torotate away from each other when the first and second displays are inthe closed face-to-face orientation.

Proceeding from step 2106 to step 2108, the method 2100 may includeforming the hinge assembly to include a harness, an integrally moldedfirst hinge body arranged in the first housing part, and an integrallymolded second hinge body arranged in the second housing part. Theharness may be formed with recesses to accommodate flexible printedcircuitry and cable, which may be configured as a radio frequency (RF)coaxial cable.

Advancing from step 2108 to step 2110, the method 2100 may includeforming a first friction band in the first hinge body, the firstfriction band comprising a first gear formed around a first void.Similarly, at step 2112, the method 2100 may include forming a secondfriction band in the second hinge body, the second friction bandcomprising a second gear formed around a second void. The first andsecond gears may be configured to engage respective first and secondcogs housed within a harness cover to control a rotation of the firstand second hinge bodies.

Continuing from step 2112 to step 2114, the method 2100 may includeforming the first friction band to receive a first shaft formed on theharness. Similarly, at step 2116, the method 2100 may include formingthe second friction band to receive a second shaft formed on theharness. The first and second shafts may be configured to engage withthe respective first and second friction bands, and the first and secondhinge bodies may rotate around the respective first and second shafts.

Proceeding from step 2116 to step 2118, the method 2100 may includecoupling the first and second housing parts via the hinge assembly. Thisstep permits the first and second housing parts to rotate betweenangular orientations from a closed face-to-face angular orientation to aback-to-back angular orientation. As discussed above, the first andsecond displays may rotate around the hinge in a range up to 360degrees, thereby enabling the mobile computing device to be arranged ina configuration that best suits the needs of the user for a desiredfunction or environmental constraint. The engagement of the first andsecond gears with the respective first and second cogs, as describedabove, may coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first and secondhousing parts between face-to-face and back-to-back orientations.Further, coupling the first and second housing parts with the hingeassembly may permit the flexible printed circuitry and the RF coaxialcable to extend from the first housing part to the second housing partvia the hinge assembly.

Advancing from step 2118 to step 2120, the method 2100 may includeincluding an electro-magnetic closure system in the mobile computingdevice. The electro-magnetic closure system may be configured to retainthe first and second displays in the closed back-to-back orientation. Arelease actuator may be included in the electro-magnetic closure system,and actuation of the release actuator when the first and second displaysare in the closed face-to-face orientation may permit the first housingpart to rotationally separate from the second housing part to apredetermined angular orientation due to the biasing torque of thespring-loaded opening mechanism.

In some embodiments, the methods and processes described herein may betied to a computing system of one or more computing devices. Inparticular, such methods and processes may be implemented as acomputer-application program or service, an application-programminginterface (API), a library, and/or other computer-program product.

FIG. 22 schematically shows a non-limiting embodiment of a computingsystem 900 that can enact one or more of the methods and processesdescribed above. Computing system 900 is shown in simplified form.Computing system 900 may embody the computing device 10 described aboveand illustrated in FIG. 1 . Computing system 900 may take the form ofone or more personal computers, server computers, tablet computers,home-entertainment computers, network computing devices, gaming devices,mobile computing devices, mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphone), and/or other computing devices, and wearable computing devicessuch as smart wristwatches and head mounted augmented reality devices.

Computing system 900 includes a logic processor 902 volatile memory 904,and a non-volatile storage device 906. Computing system 900 mayoptionally include a display subsystem 908, input subsystem 910,communication subsystem 912, and/or other components not shown in FIG.22 .

Logic processor 902 includes one or more physical devices configured toexecute instructions. For example, the logic processor may be configuredto execute instructions that are part of one or more applications,programs, routines, libraries, objects, components, data structures, orother logical constructs. Such instructions may be implemented toperform a task, implement a data type, transform the state of one ormore components, achieve a technical effect, or otherwise arrive at adesired result.

The logic processor may include one or more physical processors(hardware) configured to execute software instructions. Additionally oralternatively, the logic processor may include one or more hardwarelogic circuits or firmware devices configured to executehardware-implemented logic or firmware instructions. Processors of thelogic processor 902 may be single-core or multi-core, and theinstructions executed thereon may be configured for sequential,parallel, and/or distributed processing. Individual components of thelogic processor optionally may be distributed among two or more separatedevices, which may be remotely located and/or configured for coordinatedprocessing. Aspects of the logic processor may be virtualized andexecuted by remotely accessible, networked computing devices configuredin a cloud-computing configuration. In such a case, these virtualizedaspects are run on different physical logic processors of variousdifferent machines, it will be understood.

Non-volatile storage device 906 includes one or more physical devicesconfigured to hold instructions executable by the logic processors toimplement the methods and processes described herein. When such methodsand processes are implemented, the state of non-volatile storage device906 may be transformed—e.g., to hold different data.

Non-volatile storage device 906 may include physical devices that areremovable and/or built-in. Non-volatile storage device 906 may includeoptical memory (e.g., CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray Disc, etc.),semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, etc.),and/or magnetic memory (e.g., hard-disk drive, floppy-disk drive, tapedrive, MRAM, etc.), or other mass storage device technology.Non-volatile storage device 906 may include nonvolatile, dynamic,static, read/write, read-only, sequential-access, location-addressable,file-addressable, and/or content-addressable devices. It will beappreciated that non-volatile storage device 906 is configured to holdinstructions even when power is cut to the non-volatile storage device906.

Volatile memory 904 may include physical devices that include randomaccess memory. Volatile memory 904 is typically utilized by logicprocessor 902 to temporarily store information during processing ofsoftware instructions. It will be appreciated that volatile memory 904typically does not continue to store instructions when power is cut tothe volatile memory 904.

Aspects of logic processor 902, volatile memory 904, and non-volatilestorage device 906 may be integrated together into one or morehardware-logic components. Such hardware-logic components may includefield-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), program- andapplication-specific integrated circuits (PASIC/ASICs), program- andapplication-specific standard products (PSSP/ASSPs), system-on-a-chip(SOC), and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), for example.

The terms “module,” “program,” and “engine” may be used to describe anaspect of computing system 900 typically implemented in software by aprocessor to perform a particular function using portions of volatilememory, which function involves transformative processing that speciallyconfigures the processor to perform the function. Thus, a module,program, or engine may be instantiated via logic processor 902 executinginstructions held by non-volatile storage device 906, using portions ofvolatile memory 904. It will be understood that different modules,programs, and/or engines may be instantiated from the same application,service, code block, object, library, routine, API, function, etc.Likewise, the same module, program, and/or engine may be instantiated bydifferent applications, services, code blocks, objects, routines, APIs,functions, etc. The terms “module,” “program,” and “engine” mayencompass individual or groups of executable files, data files,libraries, drivers, scripts, database records, etc.

When included, display subsystem 908 may be used to present a visualrepresentation of data held by non-volatile storage device 906. Thevisual representation may take the form of a graphical user interface(GUI). As the herein described methods and processes change the dataheld by the non-volatile storage device, and thus transform the state ofthe non-volatile storage device, the state of display subsystem 908 maylikewise be transformed to visually represent changes in the underlyingdata. Display subsystem 908 may include one or more display devicesutilizing virtually any type of technology. Such display devices may becombined with logic processor 902, volatile memory 904, and/ornon-volatile storage device 906 in a shared enclosure, or such displaydevices may be peripheral display devices.

When included, input subsystem 910 may comprise or interface with one ormore user-input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or gamecontroller. In some embodiments, the input subsystem may comprise orinterface with selected natural user input (NUI) componentry. Suchcomponentry may be integrated or peripheral, and the transduction and/orprocessing of input actions may be handled on- or off-board. Example NUIcomponentry may include a microphone for speech and/or voicerecognition; an infrared, color, stereoscopic, and/or depth camera formachine vision and/or gesture recognition; a head tracker, eye tracker,accelerometer, and/or gyroscope for motion detection and/or intentrecognition; as well as electric-field sensing componentry for assessingbrain activity; and/or any other suitable sensor.

When included, communication subsystem 912 may be configured tocommunicatively couple various computing devices described herein witheach other, and with other devices. Communication subsystem 912 mayinclude wired and/or wireless communication devices compatible with oneor more different communication protocols. As non-limiting examples, thecommunication subsystem may be configured for communication via awireless telephone network, or a wired or wireless local- or wide-areanetwork, such as a HDMI over Wi-Fi connection. In some embodiments, thecommunication subsystem may allow computing system 900 to send and/orreceive messages to and/or from other devices via a network such as theInternet.

The following paragraphs provide additional support for the claims ofthe subject application. One aspect provides a mobile computing device.The mobile computing device may comprise a first housing part includinga first display, a second housing part including a second display, ahinge assembly, a spring-loaded opening mechanism, and a magneticclosure system. The hinge assembly may be configured to couple the firstand second housing parts and permit rotation of the first and seconddisplays from a closed face-to-face orientation to a back-to-backorientation. The spring-loaded opening mechanism may be arranged in thehinge assembly and configured to bias with a biasing torque the firsthousing part and second housing part to rotate away from each other whenthe first and second displays are in the closed face-to-faceorientation. The magnetic closure system may be configured to retain thefirst and second displays in the closed face-to-face orientation againstthe biasing torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism. The magneticclosure system may include a release actuator, and actuation of therelease actuator when the first and second displays are in the closedface-to-face orientation may permit the first housing part torotationally separate from the second housing part to a predeterminedangular orientation due to the biasing torque of the spring-loadedopening mechanism.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the hinge assembly mayinclude a first hinge body arranged in the first housing part and asecond hinge body arranged in the second housing part, and the first andsecond hinge bodies may be coupled via a harness. A first shaft of theharness may reside in the first housing part, and a second shaft of theharness may reside in the second housing part. The spring-loaded openingmechanism may include a first spring arranged on a first pin andpositioned in the first hinge body and a second spring arranged on asecond pin and positioned in the second hinge body.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the spring-loaded openingmechanism may include a first follower and a second follower. A firstend of the first follower may be disposed in a recess formed in a firsthead of the first pin, and a second end of the first follower may beengaged with a first cam formed on the first shaft of the harness. Afirst end of the second follower may be disposed in recess formed in asecond head of the second pin, and a second end of the second followermay be engaged with a second cam formed on the second shaft of theharness. When potential energy stored in the first and second springs isreleased, the second ends of the first and second followers may rotatearound the respective first and second cams, thereby rotating the firstand second hinge bodies to rotationally separate the first housing partfrom the second housing part to the predetermined angular orientation.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the first and secondfollowers may be formed such that a first end of each follower isorthogonal with respect to a second end of the respective follower. Inthis aspect, additionally or alternatively, a void formed in each hingebody may be shaped to accommodate a respective follower and secureengagement of the follower with a respective cam when the hinge assemblyis in an assembled state. In this aspect, additionally or alternatively,the magnetic closure system may include a first magnet arranged in thefirst housing part and a second magnet arranged in the second housingpart, and the first and second housing parts may be held in the closedface-to-face orientation via a magnetic force between the first andsecond magnets.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the magnetic closuresystem may be an electro-magnetic closure system that includes anelectric motor, and engagement of the release actuator on one of thefirst and second housing parts may actuate the electric motor to movethe first magnet. Movement of the first magnet may reduce the magneticforce between the first and second magnets, and the reduction in themagnetic force may permit the first housing part to rotationallyseparate from the second housing part to the predetermined angularorientation. In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the firstand second housing parts may be opened at an angle in a range of 10degrees to 45 degrees in the predetermined angular orientation.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the first hinge body mayinclude a first friction band comprising a first gear formed around afirst void, and the second hinge body may include a second friction bandcomprising a second gear formed around a second void. The first frictionband may be configured to receive the first shaft formed on the harness,and the second friction band may be configured to receive the secondshaft formed on the harness. In this aspect, additionally oralternatively, engagement of the first and second shafts with therespective first and second friction bands may permit rotation of thefirst and second hinge bodies around respective first and second shafts.The first and second gears may be configured to engage respective firstand second cogs housed within a harness cover to control rotation of thefirst and second hinge bodies and coordinate a timing of the rotation ofthe first and second housing parts between the face-to-face andback-to-back orientations.

Another aspect provides a method for manufacturing a mobile computingdevice. The method may comprise including a first display in a firsthousing part and including a second display in a second housing part.The method may further include molding a hinge assembly to include aspring-loaded opening mechanism. The method may further include couplingthe first and second housing parts via the hinge assembly. The hingeassembly may be configured to permit rotation of the first and seconddisplays from a closed face-to-face orientation to a back-to-backorientation, and to bias with a biasing torque the first housing partand second housing part to rotate away from each other when the firstand second displays are in the closed face-to-face orientation. Themethod may further include including an electro-magnetic closure systemin the mobile computing device, and the electro-magnetic closure systemmay be configured to retain the first and second displays in the closedface-to-face orientation. The method may further include including arelease actuator in the electro-magnetic closure system, and actuationof the release actuator when the first and second displays are in theclosed face-to-face orientation may permit the first housing part torotationally separate from the second housing part to a predeterminedangular orientation due to the biasing torque of the spring-loadedopening mechanism.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise forming the hinge assembly to include a first hinge bodyarranged in the first housing part and a second hinge body arranged inthe second housing part. The method may further include coupling thefirst and second hinge bodies via a harness and molding the harness toinclude a first shaft arranged in the first housing part and a secondshaft arranged in the second housing part. The method may furtherinclude including in the spring-loaded opening mechanism a first springarranged on a first pin and positioned in the first hinge body and asecond spring arranged on a second pin and positioned in the secondhinge body.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise forming the spring-loaded opening mechanism to include a firstfollower and a second follower. The method may further include shapingthe first follower to include a first end and a second end. The firstend may be configured to be disposed in a recess formed in a first headformed on the first pin, and the second end may be configured to engagewith a first cam formed on the first shaft of the harness. The methodmay further include shaping the second follower to include a first endand a second end. The first end may be configured to be disposed in arecess formed in a second head formed on the second pin, and the secondend may be configured to engage with a second cam formed on the secondshaft of the harness. When potential energy stored in the first andsecond springs is released, the second ends of the first and secondfollowers may rotate around the respective first and second cams,thereby rotating the first and second hinge bodies to rotationallyseparate the first housing part from the second housing part to thepredetermined angular orientation.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise shaping the first and second followers such that a first end ofeach follower is orthogonal with respect to a second end of therespective follower. In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, themethod may further comprise molding each hinge body to include a recessshaped to accommodate a respective follower and secure engagement of thefollower with a respective cam when the hinge assembly is in anassembled state.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise including in the electro-magnetic closure system a first magnetarranged in the first housing part, a second magnet arranged in thesecond housing part, and an electric motor. The first and second housingparts may be held in the closed face-to-face orientation via a magneticforce between the first and second magnets. In this aspect, additionallyor alternatively, the method may further comprise positioning therelease actuator on one of the first and second housing parts, theengagement of which actuates the electric motor to move the firstmagnet. Movement of the first magnet may reduce the magnetic forcebetween the first and second magnets, and the reduction in the magneticforce may permit the first housing part to rotationally separate fromthe second housing part to the predetermined angular orientation. Inthis aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise configuring the first and second housing parts to open at anangle in a range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees in the predeterminedangular orientation upon actuation of the release actuator.

In this aspect, additionally or alternatively, the method may furthercomprise molding the first hinge body to have a first friction bandcomprising a first gear formed around a first void and molding thesecond hinge body to have a second friction band comprising a secondgear formed around a second void. The first friction band may beconfigured to receive the first shaft formed on the harness, and thesecond friction band may be configured to receive the second shaftformed on the harness. Engagement of the first and second shafts withthe respective first and second friction bands may permit rotation ofthe first and second hinge bodies around respective first and secondshafts. The first and second gears may be configured to engagerespective first and second cogs housed within a harness cover tocontrol rotation of the first and second hinge bodies and coordinate atiming of the rotation of the first and second housing parts between theclosed face-to-face and back-to-back orientations.

Another aspect provides a method of operation of a hinged mobilecomputing device. The method may comprise receiving a user input at arelease actuator of an electro-magnetic closure system of the hingedmobile computing device when the electro-magnetic closure system is in aclosed configuration retaining a first display and a second display in aclosed face-to-face orientation against a biasing torque of aspring-loaded opening mechanism arranged in a hinge assembly of thehinged mobile computing device. The method may further include, inresponse, actuating the electro-magnetic closure system to transitionfrom the closed configuration to a released configuration that permitsthe first housing part to rotationally separate from the second housingpart to a predetermined angular orientation due to the biasing torque ofthe spring-loaded opening mechanism.

It will be understood that the configurations and/or approachesdescribed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specificembodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense,because numerous variations are possible. The specific routines ormethods described herein may represent one or more of any number ofprocessing strategies. As such, various acts illustrated and/ordescribed may be performed in the sequence illustrated and/or described,in other sequences, in parallel, or omitted. Likewise, the order of theabove-described processes may be changed.

The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel andnon-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various processes,systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/orproperties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A hinge assembly for coupling a first housing part and a secondhousing part of a computing device, the hinge assembly comprising: aspring-loaded opening mechanism arranged in the hinge assembly, andconfigured to bias with a biasing torque the first housing part andsecond housing part to rotate away from each other when the firsthousing part and the second housing part are in a closed face-to-faceorientation; and a magnetic closure system configured to retain thefirst housing part and the second housing part in the closedface-to-face orientation against the biasing torque of the spring-loadedopening mechanism, the magnetic closure system including a releaseactuator, wherein actuation of the release actuator when the firsthousing part and the second housing part are in the closed face-to-faceorientation permits the first housing part to rotationally separate fromthe second housing part to a predetermined angular orientation due tothe biasing torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism.
 2. The hingeassembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first hinge body arranged inthe first housing part; a second hinge body arranged in the secondhousing part; and a harness configured to couple the first hinge bodyand the second hinge body, wherein a first shaft of the harness residesin the first housing part, a second shaft of the harness resides in thesecond housing part, the spring-loaded opening mechanism includes afirst spring arranged on a first pin and positioned in the first hingebody, and a second spring arranged on a second pin and positioned in thesecond hinge body.
 3. The hinge assembly of claim 2, wherein thespring-loaded opening mechanism further includes a first follower and asecond follower, a first end of the first follower is disposed in arecess formed in a first head of the first pin, and a second end of thefirst follower is engaged with a first cam formed on the first shaft ofthe harness, a first end of the second follower is disposed in recessformed in a second head of the second pin, and a second end of thesecond follower is engaged with a second cam formed on the second shaftof the harness, and when potential energy stored in the first and secondsprings is released, the second ends of the first and second followersrotate around the respective first and second cams, thereby rotating thefirst and second hinge bodies to rotationally separate the first housingpart from the second housing part to the predetermined angularorientation.
 4. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein the first andsecond followers are formed such that a first end of each follower isorthogonal with respect to a second end of the respective follower. 5.The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein a void formed in each hinge bodyis shaped to accommodate a respective follower and secure engagement ofthe follower with a respective cam when the hinge assembly is in anassembled state.
 6. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the magneticclosure system includes a first magnet arranged in the first housingpart and a second magnet arranged in the second housing part, and thefirst housing part and the second housing part are held in the closedface-to-face orientation against the biasing torque of the spring-loadedopening mechanism via a magnetic force between the first magnet and thesecond magnet.
 7. The hinge assembly of claim 6, wherein the magneticclosure system is an electro-magnetic closure system that includes anelectric motor, engagement of the release actuator on one of the firsthousing part and the second housing part actuates the electric motor tomove the first magnet, movement of the first magnet reduces the magneticforce between the first and second magnets, and the reduction in themagnetic force permits the first housing part to rotationally separatefrom the second housing part to the predetermined angular orientationdue to the biasing torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism.
 8. Thehinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing part and the secondhousing part are open at an angle in a range of 10 degrees to 45 degreesin the predetermined angular orientation.
 9. The hinge assembly of claim2, wherein the first hinge body includes a first friction bandcomprising a first gear formed around a first void, the first frictionband being configured to receive the first shaft formed on the harness,and the second hinge body includes a second friction band comprising asecond gear formed around a second void, the second friction band beingconfigured to receive the second shaft formed on the harness.
 10. Thehinge assembly of claim 9, wherein engagement of the first and secondshafts with the respective first and second friction bands permitsrotation of the first and second hinge bodies around respective firstand second shafts, and the first and second gears are configured toengage respective first and second cogs housed within a harness cover tocontrol rotation of the first hinge body and the second hinge body andcoordinate a timing of the rotation of the first housing part and thesecond housing part between the closed orientation and an openorientation.
 11. A method for manufacturing a hinge assembly forcoupling a first housing part and a second housing part of a computingdevice, the method comprising: molding a hinge assembly to include aspring-loaded opening mechanism, the spring-loaded opening mechanismbeing configured to bias with a biasing torque the first housing partand the second housing part to rotate away from each other when thefirst housing part and the second housing part are in a closedface-to-face orientation; including a magnetic closure system in themobile computing device, the magnetic closure system being configured toretain the first housing part and the second housing part in the closedface-to-face orientation against the biasing torque of the spring-loadedopening mechanism; and including a release actuator in the magneticclosure system, wherein actuation of the release actuator when the firsthousing part and the second housing part are in the closed face-to-faceorientation permits the first housing part to rotationally separate fromthe second housing part to a predetermined angular orientation due tothe biasing torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: forming the hinge assembly toinclude a first hinge body arranged in the first housing part and asecond hinge body arranged in the second housing part; coupling thefirst and second hinge bodies via a harness; molding the harness toinclude a first shaft arranged in the first housing part and a secondshaft arranged in the second housing part; and including in thespring-loaded opening mechanism a first spring arranged on a first pinand positioned in the first hinge body and a second spring arranged on asecond pin and positioned in the second hinge body.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising: forming the spring-loaded openingmechanism to include a first follower and a second follower; shaping thefirst follower to include a first end configured to be disposed in arecess formed in a first head formed on the first pin, and a second endconfigured to engage with a first cam formed on the first shaft of theharness; and shaping the second follower to include a first endconfigured to be disposed in a recess formed in a second head formed onthe second pin, and a second end configured to engage with a second camformed on the second shaft of the harness, wherein when potential energystored in the first and second springs is released, the second ends ofthe first and second followers rotate around the respective first andsecond cams, thereby rotating the first and second hinge bodies torotationally separate the first housing part from the second housingpart to the predetermined angular orientation.
 14. The method of claim13, further comprising: shaping the first and second followers such thata first end of each follower is orthogonal with respect to a second endof the respective follower.
 15. The method of claim 13, the methodfurther comprising: molding each hinge body to include a recess shapedto accommodate a respective follower and secure engagement of thefollower with a respective cam when the hinge assembly is in anassembled state.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:including in the magnetic closure system a first magnet arranged in thefirst housing part, a second magnet arranged in the second housing part,and an electric motor, wherein the first and second housing parts areheld in the closed face-to-face orientation against the biasing torqueof the spring-loaded opening mechanism via a magnetic force between thefirst and second magnets.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: positioning the release actuator on one of the first housingpart and the second housing part, wherein engagement of the releaseactuator actuates the electric motor to move the first magnet, movementof the first magnet reduces the magnetic force between the first andsecond magnets, and the reduction in the magnetic force permits thefirst housing part to rotationally separate from the second housing partto the predetermined angular orientation.
 18. The method of claim 11,further comprising: configuring the first and second housing parts toopen at an angle in a range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees in thepredetermined angular orientation upon actuation of the releaseactuator.
 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising: molding thefirst hinge body to have a first friction band comprising a first gearformed around a first void, the first friction band being configured toreceive the first shaft formed on the harness; and molding the secondhinge body to have a second friction band comprising a second gearformed around a second void, the second friction band being configuredto receive the second shaft formed on the harness, wherein engagement ofthe first and second shafts with the respective first and secondfriction bands permits rotation of the first and second hinge bodiesaround respective first and second shafts, and the first and secondgears are configured to engage respective first and second cogs housedwithin a harness cover to control rotation of the first and second hingebodies and coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first and secondhousing parts between the closed orientation and an open orientation.20. A hinge assembly for coupling a first housing part and a secondhousing part of a computing device, the hinge assembly comprising: aspring-loaded opening mechanism arranged in the hinge assembly, thespring loaded opening mechanism including: a first hinge body configuredto be positioned in the first housing part, the first hinge body havinga first spring arranged on a first pin; a second hinge body configuredto be positioned in the second housing part, the second hinge bodyhaving a second spring arranged on a second pin; a harness configured tocouple the first hinge body and the second hinge body, the harnesshaving a first shaft and a second shaft; a first follower having a firstend disposed in a recess formed in a first head of the first pin, and asecond end engaged with a first cam formed on the first shaft of theharness; and a second follower having a first end disposed in recessformed in a second head of the second pin, and a second end engaged witha second cam formed on the second shaft of the harness, wherein wheninstalled in a computing device, the hinge assembly is configured tobias with a biasing torque the first housing part and second housingpart to rotate away from each other upon release of a closure systemthat holds the first housing part and the second housing part in aclosed face-to-face orientation against the biasing torque of thespring-loaded opening mechanism.